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The Most Perfect English Destinations

Saturday, 24 September 2016

"I have never before been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor" - Steven Spielberg, 2012

Now, I'm not a widely traveled person; the amount of times I've been abroad you could count on one hand, but thanks to long summer days as a child exploring England's most treasured places - be it on bike or foot - I have really experienced the best this country has to offer. If you're planning a trip to England or just considering a road trip or a 'stay-cation', here are my top places to visit and trust me, you really won't be disappointed.Cornwall
Cornwall was the destination for many a camping holiday as I grew up and it really is home to some of the most beautiful and picturesque places in the UK. If we start at the very most western point of the county you find Lands End; a buzzing little tourist attraction. Perhaps it's slightly aimed at families and the youngest generation but it is still a wonderful little stop off and a key pin on the Cornish map.
Let's travel slightly east to Porthcurno, home to the Minack theatre. This is, by far, the most picturesque destination I have ever visited. One of my favourite and most tranquil places. Watching a performance being acted out as the sun sets and the waves crash against the rocks below; seeing dolphins in the distance and spotting the occasional lone sailing boat passing by.

Picture from https://www.minack.com/gallery/

The Eden Project is probably Cornwall's most well known attraction, a tropical landscape constructed in the old quarries of Cornwall; exploring the bio-domes, learning about the far most tropical destinations in the world. It's a true exotic bubble in the usually slightly damp and drizzly England.
In terms of wonderful beaches along the Cornish coast, Watergate Bay is possibly the most blissful. Located in a valley on the north coast, it's home to Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant, surf and water-sport hire and, Morning runs up the hills either side of the bay are more than worth it, from the grassy clifftops above the view is, quite simply, incredible.
One of my favourite places to visit in Cornwall is Healey's Cider Farm, it's nothing extravagant, just a quaint little cider farm with stunning Orchards and wonderful cider. From exploring the cider making process to tasting the different samples of drinks, it's the perfect day out and a lovely little get away.

Devon
Dartmoor offers some of the most stunning natural landscapes, the filming location of Steven Spielberg's War Horse, beauty is in abundance in this vast stretch of countryside.
The Donkey Sanctuary will always hold a fond place in my heart. The beautiful little rescue center offers working Donkeys a new home and really, when you're surrounded by rolling hills, the smells and sounds of the countryside, it's hard to see reason for why this place isn't the perfect location for the retired donkeys to be living out their final years.
In the beautiful Teign Valley is Canonteign Falls, home to England's highest waterfall. Carpeted with moss and wildflowers that are soft underfoot, with the cover of great oaks protecting you from sun and rain alike, it is a place that must be visited. Just 90 steps up and you reach the top; you're able to see panoramic views over the whole valley and it truly is astounding how beautiful this little place, nestled in south Devon, really is.

Picture from http://kiel2546.deviantart.com/art/Canonteign-Falls-Stream-97827364

Dorset
For me, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove have to be my favourite spots in Dorset. Incredibly picturesque and totally tranquil, the surroundings totally encapsulate you. On a bright day, the sun hits the water in Lulworth Cove and it almost bounces around the entire area, turning it bright, bright blue and really twinkling and bouncing along the rocky Jurassic coast.

Picture from http://supexplorer.co.uk/lulworth-cove-sup/

The Jurassic coast is among the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon as one of the world's natural wonders and really is a spectacular sight. We've explored the coast by speed boat and it is from the water that you really appreciate the scale off the cliff edges.

Picture from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Durdle_Door_Sunset.jpg

Another favourite destination of mine is Lyme Regis, a seaside town in Dorset. Located where Dorset meets Devon, Lyme Regis offers stunning natural beauty combined with quaint shops, cute cafes and ice cream heaven! It is certainly a place that I recommend on visiting and it holds so many fond memories of family holidays growing up.

Norfolk
As I wrote about in my post about the Norfolk Broads, I have so many fond and treasured memories of visiting with my parents and grandparents. There's something so incredibly relaxing about spending your days on a boat, drifting calmly down the broads, picnic lunches in the cabin and mooring up at Ranworth for an ice cream or a cup of tea. It really is the ideal hub of activity, so close by is Norwich, an excellent stop off for any shopping you need to get done and then, just a short drive North, you are in the middle of Norfolk's finest countryside views. Great Yarmouth was also fun growing up, fish and chips on the beach followed by an evening of rides and games.
Norfolk has so much to offer; not only it is totally stunning but it caters for everyone and I can't recommend it enough.

The Lake District
If you're looking for the ultimate retreat in the depths of the English countryside then the Lake District is just that. With magnificent mountains, stunning lakes and buzzing little towns located among the rolling hills it really is the most spectacular of sights. Windermere, located Ambleside and Newby Bridge is the biggest lake in the UK, with 18 islands it is an attraction bursting with personality.
Hilltop is a beautiful cottage in Near Sawrey and was the former home of Beatrix Potter and the location in which she wrote some of her most famous tales. Now owned by the National Trust it is an absolutely wonderful day out and the views are quite incredible.
Obviously when visiting the Lake District, the mountains are an obvious focus and with so many public footpaths up to the summit, they are the best way to enjoy the views that the place has to offer. Whether it's Helvellyn or Scafell Pike, to truly appreciate the views you need to head up a mountain!

Picture from http://www.stridingedge.net/old/Lake%20District%20Features/Striding%20Edge.htm

So there it is, my little and slightly unprofessional and somewhat biased guide to the most perfect English destinations. I cannot recommend visiting any of the places I have mentioned enough; they have been part of so many amazing memories for me and my family and I can assure you that they will not disappoint.